Stories for August 2017

A new report presented at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) finds that migration from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to the United States is motivated in large part by poverty and hunger, aggravated by drought conditions associated with the El Niño phenomenon that began in 2014.

Southampton welcomed a £25 million boost to its economy over the weekend as ten cruise ships arrived in the city's port. Some 55,000 passengers were embarked and disembarked, splashing their cash in the city's hotels, restaurants and bars. Each of the ships, was estimated to bring a £2.5million boost to the city's economy.

Norwegian Cruise Line revealed a plethora of highlights that passengers can look forward to aboard the Norwegian Bliss in 2018. The cruise line's President and CEO Andy Stuart showcased some of the exciting concepts and firsts at sea during an exclusive event at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas.

Engineers have developed prototype technology that uses controlled burning to partially reveal landmines buried in peat soil. The researchers from Imperial College London have developed technology called O-Revealer that ignites peat, causing a smoldering fire that strips the upper layer of soil to reveal the landmines, making it easier to dispose of them.

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) arrived in Scotland, marking the 42nd stop on its global tour in the build-up to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia. The Baton arrived from England and previously from the Falkland Islands (12 to 15 August).

Brazil's surprise move to privatize Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA sent the utility's shares soaring nearly 50% on Tuesday as investors bet the plan augured further moves to loosen the government's grip on the economy.

The government and treasury of the Falkland Islands have issued new coins which recognize 30 years of work conducted by the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department (FIS) to help maintain fish populations around the Islands. FIS, responsible for the sustainable development of fisheries in the Falklands, was established in 1987.

The British Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, strongly condemned the decision from the Venezuela Constituent Assembly announcing it will take over the established National Assembly's powers.

The UK will no longer be under the direct jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) after Brexit, a government policy paper will say. Ministers say they want a special partnership with the EU, but it is neither necessary nor appropriate for the ECJ to police it. However critics say the word direct leaves room for the ECJ to still play a part.